West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she has cut all ties with her brother Babun Banerjee after he expressed displeasure over the Trinamool Congress’s decision to renominate Prasun Banerjee from the Howrah Lok Sabha seat.
"Before every election, he creates a problem. I don't like greedy people. I don't believe in dynasty politics that I will give him a ticket in elections. I have decided to disown him and cut off all relationships with him,” an angry Banerjee was quoted as saying by PTI.
The chief minister made the remarks on Wednesday morning while talking to reporters in Jalpaiguri. Babun is the youngest of Banerjee’s five brothers.
“He has forgotten his childhood. He was two-and-a-half years old when our father died. We brought him up with much hardship,” she said.
Asked about reports that Babun might join the Bharatiya Janata Party, the chief minister retorted, "He can do whatever he wants to. The party stands by its official candidate, Prasun Banerjee."
Babun had earlier criticised the TMC’s decision to renominate Prasun from Howrah, saying the party had overlooked several capable candidates. "I can never forget the insult that Prasun hurled at me," he had said.
Babun denied rumours of him joining the BJP but said he might contest as an independent from the Howrah seat.
"I know Didi would not agree with me. But if needed, I will contest as an independent from the Howrah Lok Sabha seat," he said.
Prasun is a two-time MP from Howrah which has been held by the TMC ever since Ambica Banerjee wrested it from the CPI(M) in 2009.
The Trinamool Congress announced candidates for all 42 seats in the state on Sunday, with cricketer Yusuf Pathan fielded from Baharampur currently held by Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
The party has renominated Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December over the cash-for-query allegations, from Krishnanagar constituency.
